US5497273A - Retractabel rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle - Google Patents

Retractabel rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US5497273A
US5497273A US08/111,954 US11195493A US5497273A US 5497273 A US5497273 A US 5497273A US 11195493 A US11195493 A US 11195493A US 5497273 A US5497273 A US 5497273A
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Prior art keywords
mirror assembly
rear door
state
detection means
motor
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US08/111,954
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English (en)
Inventor
Hidekazu Kogita
Masumi Nishikawa
Shoji Okada
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Aisin Corp
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Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
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Assigned to AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOGITA, HIDEKAZU, NISHIKAWA, MASUMI, OKADA, SHOJI
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
    • B60R1/08—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/002—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a retractable rear under view mirror system provided rearward of an automotive vehicle for ensuring a rear under field of view from a driver's seat of the vehicle, and more particularly to the retractable rear under view mirror system which is positionable in a stored position where a mirror assembly is stored at a rear upper portion of the vehicle, and a use position where the mirror assembly is extended.
  • a retractable rear under view mirror system has been proposed in a Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1-127430, for example, to improve a configuration of a van-type automotive vehicle, wherein a rear under view mirror is fixedly secured to an external surface of the vehicle to extend rearward thereof.
  • a recess at a rear end portion of the van-type vehicle which has a rear door hinged at its upper portion.
  • a mirror assembly is retractably disposed in the recess, and actuated by a mirror actuating device to be extended out of the recess for ensuring the rear under field of view from the driver's seat.
  • the mirror actuating device is energized by a manual switch operated by the driver of the vehicle.
  • a spoiler for reducing a lift created at a rear portion of the vehicle, or a deflector, and the recess is formed in the spoiler for receiving the mirror assembly.
  • the driver operated the manual switch to actuate the mirror actuating device to thereby cause movement of extending the mirror assembly out of the spoiler
  • the mirror assembly extended out of the spoiler is likely to collide with an obstacle over the vehicle, and as a result the mirror assembly will be damaged.
  • the driver may operate the manual switch to move the mirror assembly to be extended out of the recess. In this case, if there is an obstacle or the like over the vehicle, the mirror assembly will be damaged.
  • a retractable rear under view mirror system is installed in an automotive vehicle having a rear door which is mounted on a vehicle body and hinged at a rear upper portion thereof to be opened upward.
  • the system includes a base member which is provided rearward of the automotive vehicle, a mirror assembly which is movably supported by the base member, and selectively positionable from a stored position to a use position, and an actuator for actuating the mirror assembly to be positioned in the stored position or the use position.
  • a detector is provided for detecting a state of the rear door which is positionable in its open state and its closed state.
  • a controller is provided for controlling the actuator in respect to an output of the detector to move the mirror assembly to a position responsive to the state of the rear door detected by the detector.
  • the base member may be formed by a deflector which is mounted on the automotive vehicle in a spaced relationship therewith for deflecting air flow to the rear door.
  • the deflector may be mounted on the rear door at an upper portion thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a retractable rear under view mirror system illustrating an operation thereof according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of a retractable rear under view mirror system of an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of a supporting mechanism of the retractable rear under view mirror system according to the above embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned front view of the retractable rear under view mirror system according to the above embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of another supporting mechanism of the retractable rear under view mirror system according to the above embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a front view of another supporting mechanism of the retractable rear under view mirror system according to the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a controller of the above embodiment
  • FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a general operation of the controller in the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation which is executed when a state of a rear door is detected, according to the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation which is executed when a shift change to a reverse position has been made, according to the above embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operation which is executed when the reverse position has been released, according to the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an operation which is executed when a manual operation is executed, according to the above embodiment.
  • a hollow deflector 2 is fixed to an upper portion of a rear door 1b which is disposed rearward of a vehicle 1 and provided with a window pane 1a.
  • the deflector 2 is provided in spaced relationship with the rear door 1b for guiding an air flow which is produced when the vehicle 1 is running, to reduce the air resistance caused by the air flow and applied to the vehicle 1, or provided for blowing the air to the window pane 1a to sweep the window pane 1a, i.e., to blow off rain drops or the like.
  • On this deflector 2 is mounted a movable member 3 which is movably supported by a supporting mechanism 4 described later.
  • the movable member 3 is selectively positionable from a stored position PA, where it is retracted into a recess 2a formed on the reflector 2, to a use position PB, where it is extended out of the deflector 2, in response to movement of the supporting mechanism 4.
  • the movable member 3 includes a main body 31 which forms a part of the outer surface of the deflector 2 in the stored position PA, and a mirror 32 which is concealed by the deflector 2 and the main body 31 in the stored position PA and which reflects the rear under view of the vehicle 1 in the use position PB.
  • the supporting mechanisms 4, 4' are provided at the opposite sides of the movable member 3, and include guide rails 41, 41' which are fixed to the deflector 2, first links 42, 42' which are slidably supported by the guide rails 41, 41' and fixed to the movable member 3, and second links 43, 43' which are supported by the first links 42, 42' and operatively connected with a driving mechanism 5 which will be described later.
  • the supporting mechanism 4' is substantially the same as the supporting mechanism 4, so that the explanation will be made mostly about the latter for the purpose of simplicity.
  • the guide rail 41 extends from the top to the bottom (upward in FIG. 1) of the deflector 2, and forms an arc configuration longitudinally, with a substantially C-shaped cross section.
  • This guide rail 41 is secured by screws (not shown) within the deflector 2 through a bracket 44.
  • a pin 45 On one end portion of the first link 42 is mounted a pin 45 which extends within the cross sectional configuration of the guide rail 41, and around which a roller 46 is rotatably mounted.
  • the roller 46 is also slidably mounted on the guide rail 41.
  • a bracket portion 42a which is secured to the main body 31 of the movable member 3.
  • a stopping member 49 is fixed to be engageable with the roller 46.
  • the roller 46 is engaged with the stopping member 49, the sliding movement of the first link 42 along the guide rail 41 will be restricted.
  • One end of the second link 43 is rotatably mounted on the first link 42 by a pin 47.
  • a spring 48 is disposed around the pin 47, such that its one end 48a is engageable with an engaging hole formed in the second link 43 and its opposite end 48b is engageable with a flange portion 42b formed on the first link 42.
  • the driving mechanism 5 has a motor 51 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • An output shaft 51a of the motor 51 is linked with a first output shaft 53 and a second output shaft 54 through a known gear mechanism 52 which includes a plurality of gears for providing a decelerating function.
  • the first output shaft 53 is linked with the other end portion of the second link 43 of the supporting mechanism 4.
  • the second output shaft 54 is linked with the other end portion of the second link 43' of the supporting mechanism 4', through a connecting shaft 55 which is secured to the second output shaft 54 by a collar 55a, an input shaft 56 which is secured to the connecting shaft 55 by a collar 55b, and a third output shaft 57 meshed with the input shaft 56.
  • the motor 51, gear mechanism 52, first output shaft 53 and second output shaft 54 are received and supported within a case 58 which is secured to the bracket 44, and located within the deflector 2 at the side of the supporting mechanism 4.
  • the input shaft 56 and third output shaft 57 are received and supported within a case 59 which is secured to the bracket 44', and located within the deflector 2 at the side of the supporting mechanism 4'.
  • the connecting shaft 55 is located within the deflector 2 longitudinally along the movable member 3.
  • the movable member 3 extends along a short locus adjacent to the deflector 2, with its angle controlled, to be extended out of the deflector 2 and held in the use position PB as shown in FIG. 1. Consequently, the rear under field of the vehicle 1 is reflected by the mirror 32 of the movable member 3 to ensure the rear under view from a driver's seat of the vehicle 1. Therefore, it is useful for the driver to observe the rearward field of view when he drives the vehicle 1 backward.
  • the first links 42, 42' engage with the end portion 48b of the spring 48 to deform the spring 48, and rotate clockwise in FIG. 1, sliding downward in FIG. 1.
  • the first links 42, 42' have been applied with biasing force by the deformed spring 48, whereby the first links 42, 42' rotate counter-clockwise in FIG. 1, sliding upward in FIG. 1.
  • the deflector 2 serves as a base member
  • the movable member 3 serves as a mirror assembly
  • the supporting mechanism 4(4') and driving mechanism 5 serve as actuating means or an actuator.
  • a controller, or control circuit 6 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 61, an input circuit 62, a power circuit 63, a driving circuit 64 and a current sensing circuit 65.
  • the CPU 61 has input ports P1-P5, the input ports P1, P2 and P3 of which are electrically connected to a reverse switch 66, a manual switch 67 and a rear door switch 68 which serves as detection means for detecting a state of the rear door 1b, respectively, through an input circuit 62.
  • the reverse switch 66 is provided in a known transmission (not shown) of the vehicle 1, and arranged to be turned on when the transmission is selected to be positioned in the reverse position, where the vehicle 1 is driven backward, and turned off in other positions.
  • the manual switch 67 is provided on an instrument panel (not shown) installed in the vehicle 1 for controlling the motor 51 to rotate in the normal direction or reverse direction.
  • the manual switch 67 is of the type of a momentary (non-lock) switch which is turned on as long as a pressing force is applied thereto, and turned off when the pressing force is released.
  • the rear door switch 68 is arranged to be turned on or off in accordance with the open state or closed state of the rear door 1b, respectively, and serves as one of the door switches (so called courtesy switches) which is turned on when one of the doors of the vehicle 1 is opened, to lighten a room lamp (not shown), a courtesy lamp (not shown) provided for each door and a warning lamp for indicating the opened door (not shown). That is, the rear door switch 68 is turned on when the rear door 1b is open, whereas it is turned off when the rear door 1b is closed.
  • a motor 51 is electrically connected to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, a signal for representing a position of the movable member 3, i.e., a retracted position, an operating position or a transitional position, is fed to the input port P4 through the input circuit 62.
  • the input port P5 is electrically connected to the current sensing circuit 65 which is connected to the motor 51, and which determines whether an overcurrent (e.g., more than 6 ampere) has been fed or not, and outputs a resultant signal to the input port P5.
  • the output port P6 of the CPU 61 is electrically connected to the driving circuit 64 which is connected to the motor 51.
  • the power circuit 63 is electrically connected to a battery 69 which is installed in the vehicle 1, and connected to the CPU 61, input circuit 62, driving circuit 64 and current sensing circuit 65 to supply an electric power to each circuit.
  • Step S1 an initialization of the CPU 61 is executed to position the movable member 3 in its stored position PA and stop the motor 51. Then, the program proceeds to Step S2 where the state of the rear door 61 is determined by the rear door switch 68, i.e., it is determined whether the rear door switch 68 is ON or OFF. If it is determined that the rear door switch 68 is ON, the program proceeds to Step S3 where an "operation depending on door state" is executed as described later, and thereafter returns to Step S2.
  • Step S4 it is determined whether the reverse switch 66 has been switched from OFF to ON. If it is determined at Step S4 that the reverse switch 66 has been switched from OFF to ON, the program proceeds to Step S5 where an "operation at reverse" is executed as described later, and thereafter returns to Step S2. In the case where the reverse switch 66 has not been switched from OFF to ON, the program proceeds to Step S6 where it is determined whether the reverse switch 66 has been switched from ON to OFF.
  • Step S6 If it is determined at Step S6 that the reverse switch 66 has been switched from ON to OFF, the program proceeds to Step S7 where an "operation at release from reverse" is executed as described later, and thereafter returns to Step S2.
  • Step S8 if it is determined that the reverse switch 66 has not been switched from ON to OFF, the program proceeds to Step S8 where it is determined whether the manual switch 67 has been pressed (i.e., ON) or not (i.e., OFF). If the manual switch 67 is ON, the program proceeds to Step S9 where a "manual operation" is executed as described later, and thereafter returns to Step S2. If it is determined at Step S8 that the manual switch 67 is OFF, then the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S3 the "operation depending on door state" executed at Step S3 will be explained hereinafter.
  • the program proceeds to Step S31 in FIG. 9 where it is determined which position the movable member 3 is positioned in, out of its stored position (i.e., retracted position), its use position (i.e., extended position) and its transitional position.
  • Step S31 If it is determined at Step S31 that the movable member 3 is retracted (positioned in its stored position), a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and in response to that signal, a signal for stopping the rotation of the motor 51 or maintaining the stopped state of the motor 51 is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64, so as to hold the motor 51 in its stopped state. Consequently, the movable member 3 is held to be in its stored position PA (then, the program returns to Step S2).
  • Step S31 If it is determined at Step S31 that the movable member 3 is not in its stored position, i.e., the movable member 3 is in its use position or transitional position, a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and then a signal for rotating the motor 51 in the reverse direction is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64. Then, the program proceeds to Step S32 where the motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, in response to the signal fed from the output port P6 to initiate the retracting operation of the movable member 3.
  • a current sensing circuit 65 illustrated in FIG. 7 it is determined whether an electric current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, i.e., whether the current fed to the motor 51 exceeds a predetermined value or not. If it is determined at Step S33 that the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent, a signal representing this is fed to the input port P5 of the CPU 61, to output a signal for stopping the motor 51 (a signal for stopping the current supply) in response to the input signal.
  • the motor 51 is stopped by the driving circuit 64 in response to the output signal from the output port P6, so that the movable member 3 is positioned in its stored position, and the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S35 it is determined by a timer system in the CPU 61 whether the current has been fed to the motor 51 for a predetermined time. When the current has been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, a signal representing this is output from the output port P6. Then, at Step S34, the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position.
  • Step S35 If it is determined at Step S35 that the current has not been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, the output signal is fed from the output port P6 by the timer system in the CPU 61, and it is determined at Step S33 whether the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, and thereafter the above-described operation will be repeated.
  • Step S5 the "operation at reverse" executed at Step S5 will be described hereinafter.
  • the program proceeds to Step S51 in FIG. 10 where it is determined which position the movable member 3 is positioned in, out of its stored position (i.e., retracted position), its use position (i.e., extended position) and its transitional position.
  • Step S51 If it is determined at Step S51 that the movable member 3 is extended (positioned in its use position), a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and in response to that signal, a signal for maintaining the stopped state of the motor 51 is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64, so as to hold the motor 51 in its stopped state. Consequently, the movable member 3 is held to be in its use position PB (then, the program returns to Step S2).
  • Step S51 If it is determined at Step S51 that the movable member 3 is not in its use position, i.e., the movable member 3 is in its stored position or transitional position, a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and then a signal for rotating the motor 51 in the normal direction is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64. Then, the program proceeds to Step S52 where the state of the rear door 1b is determined by the rear door switch 68. If it is determined at Step S52 that the rear door switch 68 is ON, i.e., the rear door 1b is open, the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S52 If it is determined at Step S52 that the rear door switch 68 is OFF, i.e., the rear door 1b is closed, a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P3 of the CPU61 through the input circuit 62, and in response to this signal, a signal for rotating the motor 51 in the normal direction is output from the output port P6. Then, at Step S53, the motor 51 is rotated in the normal direction, in response to the signal fed from the output port P6 to initiate the extending operation of the movable member 3.
  • Step S54 it is determined by the current sensing circuit 65 whether the electric current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, i.e., whether the current fed to the motor 51 exceeds a predetermined value or not. If the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent, the signal representing this is fed to the input port P5 of the CPU 61, to output the signal for stopping the motor 51 (the signal for stopping the current supply) in response to the input signal. Then, at Step S55, the motor 51 is stopped by the driving circuit 64 in response to the output signal from the output port P6, so that the movable member 3 is positioned in its stored position, and the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S56 it is determined by the timer system in the CPU 61 whether the current has been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time.
  • the signal representing this is output from the output port P6.
  • Step S55 the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position.
  • Step S56 If it is determined at Step S56 that the current has not been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, the output signal is fed from the output port P6 by the timer system in the CPU 61, and it is determined at Step S54 whether the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, and thereafter the above-described operation will be repeated.
  • Step S6 in FIG. 8 the reverse switch 68 has been switched from ON to OFF
  • the program proceeds to Step S71 in FIG. 11 where it is determined which position the movable member 3 is positioned in, out of its retracted position, its extended position and its transitional position. If it is determined at Step S71 that the movable member 3 is positioned in its retracted position, the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S71 If it is determined at Step S71 that the movable member 3 is not in the retracted position, i.e., the movable member 3 is in its extended position or transitional position, the signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and then the signal for rotating the motor 51 in the reverse direction is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64. Then, the program proceeds to Step S72 where the motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, in response to the signal fed from the output port P6 to initiate the retracting operation of the movable member 3.
  • Step S73 it is determined by the current sensing circuit 65 whether the electric current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, i.e., whether the current fed to the motor 51 exceeds a predetermined value or not. If the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent, the signal representing this is fed to the input port P5 of the CPU 61, to output the signal for stopping the motor 51 (the signal for stopping the current supply) in response to the input signal. Then, at Step S74, the motor 51 is stopped by the driving circuit 64 in response to the output signal from the output port P6, so that the movable member 3 is positioned in its stored position, and the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S75 it is determined by the timer system in the CPU 61 whether the current has been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time.
  • the signal representing this is output from the output port P6.
  • Step S74 the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position.
  • Step S75 If it is determined at Step S75 that the current has not been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, the output signal is fed from the output port P6 by the timer system in the CPU 61, and it is determined at Step S73 whether the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, and thereafter the above-described operation will be repeated.
  • Step S8 the "manual operation" executed at Step S8 will be described hereinafter.
  • the program proceeds to Step S90 in FIG. 9 where it is determined which position the movable member 3 is positioned in, out of its retracted position, its extended position and its transition position. If it is determined at Step S90 that the movable member 3 is in its extended position or transitional position, the signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and then the signal for rotating the motor 51 in the reverse direction is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64. Then, the program proceeds to Step S92 where the motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, in response to the signal fed from the output port P6 to initiate the retracting operation of the movable member 3.
  • Step S92 it is determined by the current sensing circuit 65 whether the electric current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, i.e., whether the current fed to the motor 51 exceeds a predetermined value or not. If the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent, the signal representing this is fed to the input port P5 of the CPU 61, to output the signal for stopping the motor 51 (the signal for stopping the current supply) in response to the input signal. Then, at Step S93, the motor 51 is stopped by the driving circuit 64 in response to the output signal from the output port P6, so that the movable member 3 is positioned in its stored position, and the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S94 it is determined by the timer system in the CPU 61 whether the current has been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time.
  • the signal representing this is output from the output port P6.
  • Step S93 the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position.
  • Step S94 If it is determined at Step S94 that the current has not been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, the output signal is fed from the output port P6 by the timer system in the CPU 61, and it is determined at Step S92 whether the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, and thereafter the above-described operation is repeated. Then, the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position PA.
  • Step 90 If it is determined at Step 90 that the movable member 3 is in its stored position, a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P4 of the CPU 61 through the input circuit 62, and in response to this signal, a signal for rotating the motor 51 in the normal direction is fed from the output port P6 to the driving circuit 64. Then, the program proceeds to Step S95 where the state of the rear door 1b is determined by the rear door switch 68. If it is determined that the rear door switch 68 is ON, i.e., the rear door 1b is open, the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S95 If it is determined at Step S95 that the rear door switch 68 is OFF, i.e., the rear door 1b is closed, a signal representing this position is fed to the input port P3 of the CPU61 through the input circuit 62, and in response to this signal, a signal for rotating the motor 51 in the normal direction is output from the output port P6. Then, at Step S96, the motor 51 is rotated in the normal direction in response to the signal fed from the output port P6 to initiate the extending operation of the movable member 3.
  • Step S97 it is determined by the current sensing circuit 65 whether the electric current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, i.e., whether the current fed to the motor 51 exceeds a predetermined value or not. If the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent, the signal representing this is fed to the input port P5 of the CPU 61, to output the signal for stopping the motor 51 (the signal for stopping the current supply) in response to the input signal. Then, at Step S98, the motor 51 is stopped by the driving circuit 64 in response to the output signal from the output port P6, so that the movable member 3 is positioned in its stored position, and the program returns to Step S2.
  • Step S99 it is determined by the timer system in the CPU 61 whether the current has been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time.
  • the signal representing this is output from the output port P6.
  • Step S98 the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position.
  • Step S99 If it is determined at Step S99 that the current has not been fed to the motor 51 for the predetermined time, the output signal is fed from the output port P6 by the timer system in the CPU 61, and it is determined at Step S97 whether the current fed to the motor 51 is overcurrent or not, and thereafter the above-described operation is repeated. Then, the motor 51 is stopped to position the movable member 3 in its stored position PA and the program returns to Step S2.
  • the state of the rear door 1b is determined by the rear door switch 68 which is electrically connected with the room lamp or door warning lamp, and in response to the signal representing the state, if it is determined in the control circuit 6 that the rear door 1b has moved from its closed state to its open state, the movable member 3 is actuated so as to be positioned in its stored position PA.
  • the movable member 3 is held in its stored position PA. Consequently, the movable member 3 will hardly collide with any obstacle or the like over the rear portion of the vehicle 1, and therefore the movable member 3, supporting mechanisms 4, 4' and the driving mechanism 5 will not be damaged.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
  • Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)
US08/111,954 1992-08-31 1993-08-26 Retractabel rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle Expired - Fee Related US5497273A (en)

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JP4-232145 1992-08-31
JP4232145A JPH0672245A (ja) 1992-08-31 1992-08-31 車両用アンダーミラー装置

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Cited By (12)

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US5712736A (en) * 1992-07-23 1998-01-27 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle
US5724198A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-03-03 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Retractable rear under view mirror device for an automotive vehicle
US5975707A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-11-02 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle
US6087795A (en) * 1997-08-28 2000-07-11 Mitsuba Corporation Wiper control method
US6204753B1 (en) * 1998-02-26 2001-03-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Collision protection device for the protection of projecting motor vehicle parts
US20040140617A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-22 Cordell Mark Allen Justin Gaming device with retractable remote controller
US20040257684A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Meyer Lee G. Outside, vehicle rearview mirror system for backing
US20070086096A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Hyundai Motor Company Rear under view mirror system for vehicles
US20070211357A1 (en) * 2003-11-10 2007-09-13 Urick Kirk B System for automatically positioning vehicle mirrors
US20080168623A1 (en) * 2005-02-25 2008-07-17 Eaton Automotive B.V. Hinge Construction and Motor Vehicle Exterior Mirror Unit
US20100214680A1 (en) * 2009-02-26 2010-08-26 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Forward Folding Mirror Assemblies
US20100275411A1 (en) * 2006-08-25 2010-11-04 Mci (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. Hinge construction and wing mirror unit, in particular for a motor vehicle

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FR2721873B1 (fr) * 1994-06-30 1996-08-23 Peugeot Dispositif de retrovision pour vehicule, avec miroir sur un deflecteur arriere
WO1999002371A1 (en) * 1997-07-11 1999-01-21 Levent Akar Automobiles: electric rearview mirror under spoiler
KR100387846B1 (ko) * 2000-12-28 2003-06-18 현대자동차주식회사 자동차의 리어 언더 미러

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US3468218A (en) * 1966-06-07 1969-09-23 Licentia Gmbh Searchlight assembly for weapons carriers,particularly for armored vehicles
US3612667A (en) * 1970-04-07 1971-10-12 William John Austen Orr Rotatable and retractable safety mirror for motor vehicles
US3820877A (en) * 1973-03-19 1974-06-28 J Moyer Extendable and retractable motor vehicle mirror arms
JPS574440A (en) * 1980-06-10 1982-01-11 Isamu Kuramochi Side mirror mounted in cover of driving mirror and movable in and out
JPS58194640A (ja) * 1982-05-10 1983-11-12 Ichikoh Ind Ltd 車輛用後方死角視認装置
US4469405A (en) * 1982-09-02 1984-09-04 Chin Wun Su Back view mirror assembly
JPS5950834A (ja) * 1982-09-17 1984-03-24 Ichikoh Ind Ltd 電動式リモ−トコントロ−ルミラ−の自動変角制御装置
FR2543083A1 (fr) * 1983-03-22 1984-09-28 Baud Barthelemy Dispositif permettant les manoeuvres de marche arriere pour vehicules
JPS60179350A (ja) * 1984-02-27 1985-09-13 Tokai Rika Co Ltd 自動車用ミラ−装置
EP0153743A2 (en) * 1984-02-29 1985-09-04 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicular air flow control device with variable angle air flow control fin
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JPS61150849A (ja) * 1984-12-25 1986-07-09 Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd 車両の後退安全装置
JPS624441A (ja) * 1985-07-02 1987-01-10 Ngk Insulators Ltd コ−ジエライト質セラミツクハニカム構造触媒体の製造方法
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JPH01127430A (ja) * 1987-11-13 1989-05-19 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 自動車のリアアンダービューミラー
JPH028143A (ja) * 1988-04-08 1990-01-11 Daverio Ag 印刷版プレート運搬装置
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US5056904A (en) * 1989-02-06 1991-10-15 Makoto Okamura Viewer
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DE4011150A1 (de) * 1990-04-06 1991-10-10 Deinlein Kalb Hans Rueckfahr-spiegelanordnung fuer personen- und transport-kraftfahrzeuge
JPH0439140A (ja) * 1990-06-01 1992-02-10 Mazda Motor Corp 自動車のバックミラー装置
FR2663595A1 (fr) * 1990-06-26 1991-12-27 Baron Laurent Retroviseur exterieur et dispositif de protection.
FR2681821A1 (fr) * 1991-09-27 1993-04-02 Peugeot Dispositif reflechissant associe a la partie arriere d'un vehicule automobile.
US5210652A (en) * 1992-04-28 1993-05-11 Perkinson Walter E Fold-up two-position rear view mirror for a vehicle
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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5712736A (en) * 1992-07-23 1998-01-27 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle
US5724198A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-03-03 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Retractable rear under view mirror device for an automotive vehicle
US5975707A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-11-02 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle
US6087795A (en) * 1997-08-28 2000-07-11 Mitsuba Corporation Wiper control method
US6204753B1 (en) * 1998-02-26 2001-03-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Collision protection device for the protection of projecting motor vehicle parts
US20040140617A1 (en) * 2003-01-16 2004-07-22 Cordell Mark Allen Justin Gaming device with retractable remote controller
US20040257684A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Meyer Lee G. Outside, vehicle rearview mirror system for backing
US7025467B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2006-04-11 Meyer Lee G Outside, vehicle rearview mirror system for backing
US20070211357A1 (en) * 2003-11-10 2007-09-13 Urick Kirk B System for automatically positioning vehicle mirrors
US7474203B2 (en) * 2003-11-10 2009-01-06 Urick Kirk B System for automatically positioning vehicle mirrors
US7836553B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2010-11-23 Mci (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. Hinge construction and motor vehicle exterior mirror unit
US20080168623A1 (en) * 2005-02-25 2008-07-17 Eaton Automotive B.V. Hinge Construction and Motor Vehicle Exterior Mirror Unit
US20070086096A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Hyundai Motor Company Rear under view mirror system for vehicles
US8419198B2 (en) 2005-10-17 2013-04-16 Hyundai Motor Company Rear under view mirror system for vehicles
US20100275411A1 (en) * 2006-08-25 2010-11-04 Mci (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. Hinge construction and wing mirror unit, in particular for a motor vehicle
US8201305B2 (en) * 2006-08-25 2012-06-19 Mci (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. Hinge for a mirror unit of a motor vehicle
US20100214680A1 (en) * 2009-02-26 2010-08-26 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Forward Folding Mirror Assemblies
US8042959B2 (en) * 2009-02-26 2011-10-25 Nissan North America, Inc. Forward folding mirror assemblies

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JPH0672245A (ja) 1994-03-15
DE4329157A1 (de) 1994-03-03
DE4329157C2 (de) 1996-06-27

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